How to Tame Tech in Your Household: Setting Family Screen Time Limits

Are you concerned about the amount of time your family spends in front of screens? Have you ever wondered how to create boundaries on screen time that are effective and easy to implement within your household? If so, you are not alone. Screens have become a ubiquitous part of society and a staple within our individual households. From televisions to gaming consoles, from iPads to cell phones, it may feel like technology is infringing on your daily lives.

And although approximately two-thirds of parents believe their child benefits from technology, another 50 % find it difficult to get their child to stop using it when they want them to (MediaSmarts.ca, 2018). So not only is the struggle to get children off technology real, but you might be finding that screens are reducing the amount of quality time your family spends together, or negatively impacting the emotional or social well-being of your child. Whatever the reason, it is becoming increasingly important for parents to take a proactive stance with technology and set parameters around their family’s digital life. Setting household boundaries on screen time may seem like a daunting task, but as screen time increases, so does the importance of setting limits.

If you are looking to improve your family’s tech-life balance, here are some ways to implement healthy screen time boundaries:

• Create ‘screen-free zones’. 
• Establish common areas as screen-free zones, such as not allowing devices at the dinner table, in the kitchen, or in the living room. Encourage everyone to put their devices on silent or store them in a basket while in these areas.
• Designate screen-free times of the day when everyone in the house commits to a digital detox. For instance, over dinnertime or for two hours leading up to bedtime.

Adhere to Recommended Limits

Screen time limits ensure the overall health and well-being of children. The Canadian Paediatric Society, for example, recommends no screen time for children under the age of two, 1 hour per day for ages 2 to 5, and limiting screen time to 2 hours or less per day for ages 6 and above. Overexposure to screens can have negative health outcomes for children (and adults), such as poor sleep quality, decreased cognitive performance, and behavioral issues.

Setting timers when using technology or posting a family media chart on the fridge to track screen time can help reduce usage. Setting parental controls and time limits on games and apps can also help limit use.

Encourage Green Time Over Screen Time

Whenever possible, prioritize outdoor physical activity and unstructured play time over screen time. Just like there are recommended screen time limits, there are also recommended physical activity times as well.

There are many physical benefits to spending time outdoors, including improved circulation, strengthening bones and muscles, and increased motor skills. Because so much of screen time is sedentary, promoting physical activity helps children get much-needed exercise, which helps to buffer against obesity.

Simply put, the more time children spend interacting with screens, the more they miss out on important opportunities for socialization, exploration, and creativity. And spending quality family time together outside, without digital distractions, has many benefits, including building stronger connections and finding new shared interests.

Role Model

Screen time limits are not just for kids. Children model their parents' behavior, so it is essential for adults to consider their own media use and reflect on the message they’re sending. By modeling positive digital behaviors, such as avoiding screens before bedtime or using phones while in the presence of others, parents are setting standards and expectations that their children can learn from and that will inspire them to follow suit.

Use Screens Mindfully

Unfortunately, we rarely use technology as mindfully as we would like. For the most part, we are operating on autopilot, getting lost in a video game, scrolling endlessly through social media feeds, or mindlessly unlocking our phones with every incoming notification. Using screens mindfully means choosing to engage in screen time intentionally, and with purpose. For instance, instead of having the television on “in the background”, turn it off until you’re ready to be intentional about what content you want to view, and when. You can also silence notifications or keep your inbox closed until you’re ready to actively engage. By becoming more aware and intentional about your screen use, you can minimize exposure to unnecessary and unintentional content.

Be All-in, Together

Being involved in your child’s online activities doesn't mean that you have to know “all things tech”. When you download a new game or social media app, use it as an opportunity to learn with your child. Introduce it in moderation and challenge them first with some “real-life” scenarios to see how they will deal with any potentially difficult situations. The point is not to scare them but rather to prepare them. It is important to ensure that they are equipped to deal with digital dilemmas, and if they arise, they know they can turn to you for support.

Keep in mind these are guidelines and suggestions, rather than hard and fast rules. It should serve as a starting point for discussion, as the values and needs of each family are unique. Where possible, discuss digital expectations openly with all family members. When youth and teens have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion, voice concerns, as well as comprehend the benefits, they will be more open to implementing changes.

It is never too late to develop a screen time plan for your family. Integrating digital technology into family life in a meaningful and balanced way can reinforce and promote family values and protect quality family time. Starting a new screen time plan is not always easy. The key is to be realistic and remain flexible. Revisit the plan often and be open to making changes based on what works best for you and your family.

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